The omicron coronaviruses variant seems to be rapidly overtaking the delta as the dominant virus strain in South Africa and appears able to evade some of the protection provided by previous infection or vaccination, scientists warned Thursday, as governments around the world close their borders and implement new restrictions in an attempt to contain
Scientists said that the omicron variant is moving towards dominance.
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The omicron variant is driving a surge of coronaviruses infections in South Africa, according to local health officials.
Dr. Groome said that the number of infections had increased from a weekly average of around 300 new cases a day to around 3,500 this week.
According to the NICD, around three quarters of the positive tests were positive for omicron.
The agency's Professor Anne von Gottberg told a news briefing that there is a predominance of omicron across the country.
South Africa has a high number of people who have already been exposed to Covid-19, and von Gottberg said that this has led to an increase in infections in patients who have already had Covid-19.
Early data shows that previous infections don't provide protection from infections due to omicron.
How much protection is offered by previous infections? More research is needed to quantify the extent to which the highly-minted variant can get around some of the immunity offered by vaccines and infections. According to the latest report from the NICD, the protection against severe disease and death from vaccines should be less affected.
The growth of omicron in southern Africa has led many to believe that it is a more transmissible form of the virus than delta. The variant may be similar to the degree of transmissibility. She said that the surge of new infections was caused by the greater susceptibility of the population to infections.
What to watch for.
Research on omicron is a priority for many researchers. Experts are trying to determine if it is transmissible, where it came from and if it causes different illnesses. Drugmakers are trying to figure out if the variant can evade the protection offered by vaccines and treatments. The treatment for Covid-19 was less effective against omicron than previously thought, according to Regeneron, which produces the therapy. Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna are preparing to remake their widely-used shots and other major vaccine makers are researching the variant.
South Africa officials say the Omicron variant is to blame for the rise in Covid cases.
Covid-19 is not done with us, the WHO leader wants vaccine equity over boosters, because of the high risk of Omicron spreading internationally.
Coverage and live updates on the coronaviruses.
